A jam-busting plan to tackle traffic hold-ups on Tyneside was unveiled today.

A jam-busting plan to tackle traffic hold-ups on Tyneside was unveiled today.

Council chiefs hope the new traffic management scheme will ease congestion along busy Percy Street in Newcastle.

The construction of the new St James Boulevard which provides a new route around part of the city centre for drivers has enabled the council to take action to tackle the long-running problems on Percy Street.

Plans include banning right turns into car parks which cause many hold-ups.

A new link road is planned to the rear of Eldon Garden multi-storey car park so shoppers don't have to use Percy Street.

The roundabout at the junction of Percy Street and Gallowgate will be removed and replaced by traffic lights.

Highways chiefs say the measures will enable them to introduce no car lanes along Percy Street to speed up buses.

At present it can take 45 minutes to get from Haymarket bus station to the Civic Centre a few hundred yards away.

Traffic calming measures are planned in the nearby Leazes Village conservation area to reduce problems for residents.

The proposals will go a meeting of the city council cabinet on Wednesday for approval.

Traffic and transportation manager, Peter Wightman, said: "Percy Street is the most congested street in the city.

"The result is severe delays for buses as well as major problems for drivers entering or leaving the multi-storey car parks. Two thirds of people who come into Newcastle to shop use public transport and we need to do something to help them."

No car lanes elsewhere in the city have proved unpopular with motorists but Mr Wightman said the package of measures means they can be put on Percy Street without causing problems for drivers.

Denise Raven of the AA said: "It may be that a package of measures will reduce congestion but we would ask the council to monitor the no car lanes very carefully."